You don’t need tickets to experience the Pablo Center at the Confluence.
In downtown Eau Claire, three free art galleries give you a reason to stop in, slow down, and see what’s on the walls. You’ll find work by local and regional artists, exhibitions that bring fresh perspectives to town, and pieces from the Pablo Center’s permanent collection. With the exhibitions changing throughout the year, your next visit might look a little different from your last.
Consider this your invitation to make some room for art between dinner and whatever’s next. In this blog, we’ll show you around the galleries, share how to join a free artist reception, and cover what to know before you go. Bring a friend, pack your sketchbook, and experience the Pablo Center from a whole new perspective.
Photo Courtesy: Megan Zabel Holmes for Visit Eau Claire
More than a night at the theater
The Pablo Center is known for bringing performances to downtown Eau Claire, but the art doesn’t begin and end when the curtain goes up. Its galleries make the building a place to visit during the day, too!
When you walk into the lobby, you’ll see why it’s worth stepping inside. Overhead, large lantern-like lights set the scene. The red, orange, and white fixtures have become an iconic feature of the Pablo Center and stun the various audiences who walk through the doors. From there, art leads you through the first floor and up to the second. You can spend a few minutes looking around while you’re downtown or give yourself an afternoon to explore. There’s no ticket to buy, reservation to make, or check-in required.
Photo Courtesy: Megan Zabel Holmes for Visit Eau Claire
Three galleries, always something new to see
Three galleries, two floors, and plenty of reasons to take your time. Each gallery brings something different to the Pablo Center, from artists finding their footing to familiar names and works that have found a permanent home here.
Start on the first floor with the James W. Hansen Gallery, the largest of the three. It hosts a changing schedule of exhibitions, including Pablo Center’s annual shows and work by guest artists. There’s room for a range of styles and perspectives, so give yourself a little time to look around. With exhibitions rotating throughout the year, this is a place you can return to and have a different experience each time.
Also on the first floor, the Brady & Jeanne Foust Gallery makes room for emerging artists, student work, and exhibitions connected to the community. Eau Claire has plenty of people making things, trying things, and putting their own spin on the world around them. This gallery gives you a chance to see some of that creativity up close—and perhaps discover an artist whose work you’ll want to keep following.
Head upstairs to the Laurie Bieze Gallery, where selections from the Pablo Center’s permanent art collection share space with stained glass by Laurie Bieze. While the exhibitions downstairs give you a look at what’s new, this gallery lets you spend time with the art the Pablo Center has collected along the way. It’s worth making the second floor part of your visit.
Across the galleries, local and regional artists share the spotlight with artists from farther away. That mix feels right at home in Eau Claire: a little hometown pride, and a little mix of what else is out there. You can check the exhibitions before you go, or walk in and let the visit unfold. Finding something you didn’t expect is part of the fun.
Another reason to come together
If you’d like to experience an exhibition with others, watch for the Pablo Center’s artist receptions. Each gallery exhibition has a reception, giving visitors a chance to see the work and share a conversation around it. Some include an artist talk or remarks; others are simply a relaxed evening to gather and look around. Receptions are free and open to everyone, with dates varying by show.
And if you’d rather visit on a quiet afternoon, that's one of the best ways to enjoy, too! Take photos, bring a sketchbook, or wander through at your own pace. There’s no single way to enjoy the galleries.
Plan your visit to the Pablo Center
The Pablo Center at the Confluence is located in downtown Eau Claire at 128 Graham Avenue. All three galleries are free to visit during the work hours, Monday through Saturday, 10 AM to 2 PM. They’re also open beginning one hour before ticketed events. No reservation or check-in is needed.
You might come to the Pablo Center for a show, but you don’t have to wait for one to walk through the doors. Next time you’re downtown, stop in and see what’s on the walls! The galleries are free, the art keeps changing, and there’s always room for you to take a look.